Series: Brooklyn

BOOK REVIEW: Love Lessons (Brooklyn #7) by Sarina Bowen

July 15, 2022 / Arielle / 4 Comments

Love Lessons (Brooklyn #7)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
He needs an image makeover, she needs a mojo upgrade. A new lessons-in-seduction hockey romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Sarina Bowen.

After I'm arrested for throwing a raucous party, my hockey team says I have an image problem. And I need to fix it, stat.

Charity work? Check. Haircut? Sure. But I draw the line at hiring my neighbor to style me. In the first place "style" shouldn't be a verb. And I'm tired of people who'd judge me on appearances.

Vera and I don't see eye to eye on anything. She wants me to try on clothes, while I just want to remove hers. She's distractingly pretty, with soulful eyes and a sinful mouth that likes to argue with me.

But when management threatens my summer vacation, I grudgingly agree to Vera's unusual proposal: she'll give me an image makeover. But in return, she wants lessons in the art of seduction.

It sounds a little nutty, but I know a good opening when I hear it. Besides, it's not like I'll ever fall for her...

Review

I’m not tearing up/holding back from crying as I finish this book, NO I AM NOT. I was talking to a friend when I was getting towards the last chunk of the book and she said this book felt like an end of an era with a certain Captain retiring. I have to agree. I have been closely following along with Bowen’s work now for about four years and I know for a fact I have mentioned in multiple other reviews how much these characters feel like family to me. If this does in fact wind up being the last Bruisers book (no idea if this is the case or not), I will be satisfied.

When we first got a flash of Vera and Ian bickering in Charli and Neil’s book, I had been hoping for more of them together. My wish was certainly granted. What I did not expect was to read their story with the GORGEOUS backdrop of a villa in Italy. Perks of having a mega rich friend/teammate like Neil I suppose, lol. Gahh, what a luxurious setting. The thought of them connecting in this super beautiful and restful place for a few weeks during the summer was just very…nice. They didn’t have to worry about the pressures of a busy job or an insanely crazy hockey season, they were just able to get to know one another a little better and bicker all they wanted.

In all seriousness though, the main trope of this book being ~teach me how to be sexy and how to seduce men~ IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF ALL TIME. I’ve read about it numerous times and loved it numerous times but I felt like this one was special because of Ian. Most of the time in those situations the guy is a HUGE playboy. I’m sure Ian did get around since he is an insanely hot and talented hockey player but playboy wasn’t ever the vibe I got from him. Instead he was open and playful in bed which coaxed Vera into trusting him quickly and brought out her own brave side. I absolutely loved it.

Besides that we do get into deeper issues too–Ian dealing with the aftermath of dealing a career ending blow to a kid last season and being told my management he needed to clean up his image. Vera of course was trying to figure out what to do in order to impress her ex at a gala he invited her to after the Italy trip and was also guilty for being the one to call in Ian’s noisy party that ended up getting him temporarily arrested. As expected though, by spending time together like they did, both of them were able to think about their problems through a different lens and take care of business for themselves accordingly.

Overall this book warmed my heart and I was obsessed with the steam level. It doesn’t matter what Bowen writes, I will read and I WILL love. That’s all there is to it. Do yourself a favor and start reading this series if you haven’t already. It’s 100% my favorite hockey romance series of all time.

Huge thanks to Tuxbury Publishing LLC for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

BOOK REVIEW: Shenanigans (Brooklyn #6) by Sarina Bowen

March 15, 2022 / Arielle / 1 Comment

BOOK REVIEW: Shenanigans (Brooklyn #6) by Sarina Bowen Shenanigans (Brooklyn #6)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

What I meant to do in Vegas: Let my hair down for once and celebrate winning a medal at my first women’s hockey all-stars competition.

What I actually did: Got senior prom drunk and woke up married to Brooklyn’s star winger, the great Neil Drake.

He’s the heir to a billion dollars, and I barely survived my childhood. Our friendship is based strictly only on hockey, takeout food and smack talk.

And now holy matrimony. Although we both know it can’t last, especially once his evil family gets wind of our Vegas shenanigans…

Contains: Meddling teammates, meddling parents, ugly jewelry and a pretend-kiss that nearly sets the world on fire.

Review

I have been salivating over this book now since I finished the last page of Bombshells. The dynamic that Charli and Neil have had since their very first meeting TOPPED with a drunken marriage in Vegas? Perfection. Sign me the hell up.

What I had not anticipated exactly was how fucking dreamy Cornelius Drake III was. What a King. And Charli? I knew there was always going to be more to peel back from that gruff and tough outer layer that no one has yet been able to see behind and I couldn’t wait to find out what that “more” was.

One of the real kickers in their relationship, too, was their financial situations. The one thing that is consistently known to cause the most stress in a person’s life and relationships of all kinds. Neil was an ACTUAL billionaire while Charli was used to just barely scraping by her entire life. Pile on a family of old money who is used to burying “embarrassing” or “unsavory” headline producing incidents and we’ve got some good fuel for the angst fire part of this story. But one thing you need to know is that Neil is generous. That man. He may use his billionaire powers to get what he wants sometimes but he’s also a guy who was refusing to get new furniture even though the stuff he currently owned was unbearable to sit on, because he’s a person who hates waste and wants to try to minimize it as much as he can (which you know, since he actually has the resources to help make those kinds of changes in the world, I’m sure he’ll do everything in his power to actually achieve it).

ANYWAY what I’m trying to say is that Neil Drake is a stand up guy. The things he does to win over Charli in this book….and even then some of the things she does for him..made my heart ache in the best way. Charli has lived a pretty hard life and has been surrounded by some pretty terrible people so the fact that Neil was able to worm his way into her softer interior until he was able to burrow his way into her heart should be pretty telling. I’m over here PRAYING for a Vera book because I just can’t be done with the Bruisers or Bombshells yet–I really can’t.

P.s. The scene where the guys are watching the Bombshells’ game is my favorite.

Huge thanks to Tuxbury Publishing LLC for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW: Bombshells (Brooklyn #5) by Sarina Bowen

April 13, 2021 / Arielle / 2 Comments

Bombshells (Brooklyn #5)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The women's league is in the house! And Brooklyn will never be the same again for Anton Bayer and the team…

This is my last chance to ditch my playboy reputation and finally fulfill my potential. So I’ve made three rules for our biggest season yet: no boozing, no women, and no scandals.

Especially that last thing.

So who do I befriend on the very first day back at the rink? An amazing female hockey player. I want Sylvie in a way that’s more than just friendly. I crave her. But I have a championship to win, and so does she.

Then she gets her heart broken by my teammate, and I make the foolish mistake of comforting her in the best way I know how. Our night together sets off a string of sins.

Nobody can know about our affair, especially my overprotective teammate. I can’t let anyone see into my greedy little heart. Not even her.

The things I want from her, and the things we’ve already done? If anyone knew, there’d be bombshells.

Contains: a defenseman with dreamy blue eyes, a female goalie with bad ideas, a major battle of the sexes and a swimming pool scene...

Review

Hold the phone—this goalie is a girl. No—a woman. With rich brown hair and luck olive skin. She shakes out her hair, which seems to be in the process of escaping whatever braid or ponytail that had confined it. Then she smiles, giving the little girl a wave.
And I can’t fucking breathe. Her smile lights up her eyes, which are a warm brown. She is like the living, breathing picture of female perfection.

Reading about the same kinds of tropes over and over in romance, as long as I love them, rarely ever gets old to me. Authors come up new ways to spin things and unique and loveable characters to get attached to but all is well. That’s not to say though, that a lot of those book are just okay. Like I read them, they make me happy, and then they’re over with. THEN, there are books that you read and something strikes you like a bolt of lightning while reading a certain line and you just…can’t breathe. I felt that way when I read the quote found above. “And I can’t fucking breathe.” Like who wouldn’t want someone to look at them and literally lose the ability to breathe because they are so stunned by what they are seeing in front of them. That line for me was the very moment that I knew Anton and Sylvie’s story was going to be something extraordinary.

Sylvie stares right back at me. And then her hand finds the back of my neck, where her fingers sift through the short hair at my nape. Maybe she’s trying to make Campeau jealous. But my body doesn’t know that. Every nerve I possess sits up straight and sings hallelujah.
“Any man could lose his heart to you,” I whisper. “So easily.”
“Just dance with me,” she whispers back. “I’m don’t talking about him.”

I will never not feel comforted by Bowen’s writing and the familiarity that her characters and even just their world bring. When one of her books has that some extra though I feel like I’ve won the lottery. Baby Bayer, excuse me, Anton is freakin hilarious. I loved that even though he was trying to take things more seriously this season, he still was the funny guy without even trying. Sylvie was great. She was strong and kind, and so amazing. The chemistry that she and Anton had, even while just friends, was off the charts. Also, can I just say that I am so excited for more books with the Bombshells alongside the Bruisers? I know nothing about hockey other than what I’ve learned from romance books (LOLOL) but the thought of this woman’s team rising up like a phoenix from the ashes has me real excited for future books. If you’ve enjoyed any of Bowen’s previous books, I will personally guarantee you will love this one.

And the soundtrack running through my head is mine mine mine. And finally. I’ve never been so turned on, because I’ve never wanted anyone as badly as I want her.

Huge thanks to Sarina Bowen and Tuxbury Publishing LLC for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. ♥

BOOK REVIEW: Superfan (Brooklyn #3) by Sarina Bowen

June 12, 2019 / Arielle / 2 Comments

Superfan (Brooklyn #3)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sometimes lady luck shakes your hand, and sometimes she smacks your face. Sometimes she does both on the same day.

Three years ago I met the most amazing girl in the world. We were both down on our luck. Then I got that call—the one that tells you to get your buns on a plane to go meet your destiny.

But the girl was left behind. I didn’t have her phone number, and she didn’t know my real name.

While I became a professional hockey player, she became a superstar, with platinum records and legions of fans. And a slick, music producer boyfriend who treated her badly.

But fate wasn’t done with us yet. When Delilah turns up at a hockey game, I can’t resist making contact. The internet swoons when I ask her out on a date.

She might not remember me. But her jerkface ex does. He’ll do anything to keep us apart.

Good thing athletes never give up. This time I’m playing for keeps.

More information at SarinaBowen.com

Review:

Now, right off the bat I want everyone to know that I expected this book to be great. Every previous look at Silas that we’ve ever gotten in the earlier books painted him to be a complete cinnamon roll. He had a seemingly cute obsession with Delilah Sparks and he always seemed to be an all-around nice guy (like always looking out for Heidi, letting her stay with them, etc.). I’m here to tell you that he not only lived up to, but EXCEEDED every expectation I had of him. Sighhhh

Seriously though, this book is for sure my favorite of the series. They just keep on getting better and better. I loved the way that Delilah and Silas met and how their relationship formed. It was one of those things where they obviously had an instant connection but I kind of liked that they never *quite* got to that next level during any of the chapters that were set in the past. Also, just knowing they hadn’t exchanged numbers and that she didn’t know his real name made the anticipation of them meeting again SO REAL.

Like that ~scene~ with the dare and the jersey and YES I’M BEING VAGUE BC I DON’T WANT TO GIVE ANY MORSELS AWAY. I LOVED that. Ugh and them meeting again for the first time. Like you guys I was just flailing away at this entire book. I loved their relationship so much. Delilah struggles with a lot of insecurity for a number of different reasons but Silas is only ever supportive and wonderful to her. He’s always there for her and never goes off the grid and is the rock that any person might want to be in a relationship with.

Then there is the wedding scene. I loved that we got the chance to see all of our favorite characters from previous books and watching Delilah as an “outsider” interact with them all. UM ALSO, THE SCENE WITH BERINGER AND HIS DAUGHTER. I died. Literally died. I love all of these idiots so much and is it sad that I already want to re-read so I don’t have to leave any of their presences?

This book also features another one of those crazy plot lines and scenes that…given how famous Delilah is, is actually pretty believable (though still crazy). But you know what? It wasn’t *too crazy*. It added just enough of an edge to the story to ensure that I will never forget it. Seriously, I CANNOT wait for this book to be out in the world and for all of you to be able to read it. All the stars to Bowen, and this series, and Silas.

Side note: It should be mentioned that every book in the Brooklyn Bruisers and Brooklyn series can be read as standalones. In my own personal opinion though, once you read one, you won’t stop until you read the rest.

Huge thanks to Tuxbury Publishing LLC for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.♥

BOOK REVIEW: Brooklynaire (Brooklyn #1) by Sarina Bowen

May 23, 2019 / Arielle / 2 Comments

Brooklynaire (Brooklyn #1)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A sexy new standalone from USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen.

You’d think a billion dollars, a professional hockey team and a six-bedroom mansion on the Promenade would satisfy a guy. You’d be wrong.

For seven years Rebecca has brightened my office with her wit and her smile. She manages both my hockey team and my sanity. I don’t know when I started waking in the night, craving her. All I know is that one whiff of her perfume ruins my concentration. And her laugh makes me hard.

When Rebecca gets hurt, I step in to help. It’s what friends do. But what friends don’t do is rip off each others’ clothes for a single, wild night together.

Now she’s avoiding me. She says we’re too different, and it can never happen again. So why can’t we keep our hands off each other?

It is universally acknowledged that I am something of a badass.

So again, like I said in my review for Overnight Sensation I knew part way through this book that I had made a mistake in reading these all out of order. I knew even more so when I went back and read books one through three after this one and saw a bit of a mysterious build up between Rebecca and Nate. Even the progression of getting to know both of these characters. Don’t get me wrong, I still was obsessed with this book but I think the anticipation of seeing these two finally get together could have been even greater if reading them in order.

Now there’s a document my HR department doesn’t want in the world. Dear Diary, it wasn’t until I snuck into Rebecca’s hotel room and screwed her seven ways till Sunday that I realized I was in love with her. Not helpful.

BUT ANYWAY. OMG. On to me blabbing on about how much I love Rebecca and Nate. And who DOESN’T love a good “H taking care of h” storyline. Even though I have an unhealthy obsession for hockey players in romances (like I have never been to a real hockey game, what the fuck, Arielle?!) I also love a good hot nerd. And badass heroine. And friends to lovers, especially when the one friend is clueless about it even though the signs have always been there. Lol I love the shit that Lauren gives Nate about it, too. So again, great book. Great sexy times. Great everything.

“Wait.” I sit up. “Did you bring me empanadas and tequila?”
“Yeah,” she says softly. “It’s nothing, really, but…”
I interrupt her. “Do you know I love you?”
Her mouth slams shut and her eyes get damp. “No. I didn’t.”
“It’s true, Bec. I’ve got it bad.”

Jen	Chelsea
Arielle	Cassie

Jen	Chelsea
Arielle	Cassie

Series: Brooklyn

BOOK REVIEW: Love Lessons (Brooklyn #7) by Sarina Bowen

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BOOK REVIEW: Shenanigans (Brooklyn #6) by Sarina Bowen

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BOOK REVIEW: Bombshells (Brooklyn #5) by Sarina Bowen

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BOOK REVIEW: Superfan (Brooklyn #3) by Sarina Bowen

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BOOK REVIEW: Brooklynaire (Brooklyn #1) by Sarina Bowen

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